You are invited to participate in the Miss Vicky 2027 Challenge so, together, we can increase our PolioPlus advocacy, awareness and fundraising impacts to eradicate polio from the world forever!
District Governor Jeanette and District Governor-Elect Andre have agreed to our continued participation for the 2026-2027 Rotary Year to build on the great work and momentum we made through your generous Club and Rotarian gifts to PolioPlus last year of $231,020USD, an amazing 59% above previous years. This increase is attributed to the advocacy and fundraising efforts of our own Past District Governor Ramesh Ferris and your participation in the Miss Vicky 2026 Challenge.
All donations to PolioPlus through the Miss Vicky 2027 Challenge for PolioPlus will count towards our Rotary District 5370 $2.027 million in 2027 Foundation Fundraising Challenge total.
Your participation in the Miss Vicky 2027 Challenge also increases your giving impact – doubling your PolioPlus gifts even before the 2:1 match by the Gates Foundation, turning your $100 donation into $600 after the both the MV Challenge and Gates Foundation matches – true impact and helping us keep our promise to the children of the world to eradicate polio forever
As a reminder, this is a partnership initiative with 2 long-time Rotarians and Polio Warriors Lee Harman and Winston Conyers, along with Miss Vicky – their refurbished 1931 Model A Ford. Lee is a retired Ophthalmologist, classic car aficionado, Paul Harris Fellew, Major Donor & Arch Klumph Society Member from the Rotary Club of Arlington, Washington (District 5050). Winston is a real estate agent with Sotheby International Canada, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and Major Donor from the Rotary Club of White Rock, BC (D5050). Both participated in National Immunization Days in India in 2009 and saw firsthand the terrible impacts of polio, as well as the huge, live-giving benefits of polio vaccines.
Lee, Winston and Miss Vicky have been carrying out awareness, advocacy, and fundraising campaigns for several years, including rallies with Miss Vicky from Peking-Paris in 2019 and Alaska-Mexico in 2023. They have raised over $456,000USD in the last 2 years since it started in 2024-2025, including almost $260,000 last Rotary year - that’s an amazing $1.37 million USD to help eradicate polio from the world after the Gates Foundation matching.
The Miss Vicky 2027 Challenge is a multi-District partnership involving Rotary Districts 5050 (the home of the Miss Vicky Team) and District 5370, with the potential of two more. The fundraising goal this year is $400,000USD - that’s $1.2 million USD towards the EndPolioNow campaign after the Gates Foundation $2:$1 matching.
Go to Miss Vicky 2027 Challenge for PolioPlus Raise for Rotary site for more information and to make your PolioPlus donation.
In case you are wondering, Raise for Rotary is The Rotary Foundation’s on-line peer-to-peer fundraising tool that allows individuals to create fundraisers for our Foundation and share with their social networks. Just like any other donation to The Rotary Foundation, donors will receive tax receipts and donations count toward Paul Harris Fellow and Major Donor recognition.
While not yet finalized, the Miss Vicky Challenge for PolioPlus advocacy, awareness and fundraising events in Rotary District 5370 during the coming year anticipated to include:
- A District 5370 Foundation PolioPlus presentation in September (via Zoom) with Miss Vicky Challenge Team leader Dr. Lee Harman
- A Miss Vicky Challenge Team visit to the Edmonton area for the lead up to World Polio Day on October 24th, with opportunities for in-person Club presentations & meet/greets, participation in a Purple Pinky event with a local school, and support for the Rotary Club Edmonton Mayfield’s Pints for Polio Fundraising event on World Polio Day.
- A Miss Vicky Challenge Team visit to Edmonton for our May 2027 District Conference to present a cheque to District Governor Jeanette Banzcarz and celebrate the results of our generous giving to The Rotary Foundation PolioPlus Fund.
Stay tuned for more information and messages about the Miss Vicky 2027 Challenge for PolioPlus over the weeks and months to come.
Questions or want more information, please contact your District Rotary Foundation Chair Libby Weir by cel at 780-931-6249 or by email at foundation@rotary5370.org.